Mid-Prairie, Columbus, WMU boys hit links for tournament

DURANT — Winfield-Mount Union, Columbus and Mid-Prairie joined with eight other boys golf teams and battled cold and windy conditions Tuesday for an 18-hole tournament, the Wildcat Invitational, at Wahkonsa Golf Course.

Mid-Prairie was fourth as it posted its low round this season with the help of three personal-best totals from the Golden Hawks. WMU was seventh and Columbus 10th.

WMU posted scores of 46-47 ——93 by Brady Loyd and 48-46 ——94 by Jacob Kongable. Carter Loyd had 48-50 ——98 and Bryce Wade closed out the Wolves scoring at 51-52 ——103.

The Columbus low man was Robert Coil with 50-49-99 and a stroke behind was Tucker Bright at 51-49 ——100. Logan Bright’s score was 50-53 with Grant Watson at 69-59 ——128.

Mid-Prairie’s Dominic McCain led area golfers with a 42-39 for an 81 to finish tied for fifth overall. West Branch had the meet medalist in Brady Knoop, who carded a 76. Cole Syring from Tipton was runner-up with a 79.

“For the first time, four of the our six played the course, so it was great to rally in the second nine,” Mid-Prairie coach Kelby Bender said. After the first nine holes the Hawks were eighth in the team standings. Using what they learned about the course, five of the six turned in better second-round scores. “Our goal coming in was to shoot in the 390's and finish fifth to seventh.”

The team total of 383 was the season low by 19 strokes. “It is fun to see the excitement in the golfers after a day like that,” Bender said.

McCain’s round was highlighted by two birdies, one at the par-5 10th hole and one on the par-4 16th. Teammate Drew Schlabaugh’s personal best score was 50-48 ——98. Warren Scarff finished his round with his personal best 52-49 ——101. Collin Miller bounced back after a 57 to post a 46 for his personal low score of 103.

Next Monday, Mid-Prairie hosts Wilton in a JV/varsity River Valley Conference dual meet. Tuesday it will travel to West Liberty for another 18-hole invitational.

Columbus and WMU play today at Cedar Crest Golf Course in Columbus Junction.

Ben Mattes hits a shot on the ninth hole at Cedar Crest during Mid-Prairie’s triangular April 1. (Doug Brenneman/Union)

TEAM SCORES

1. West Branch 320, 2. Tipton 326, 3. North Cedar 358, 4. Mid-Prairie 383, 5. Iowa City Regina 385, 6. Durant 386, 7. Winfield-Mount Union 388, 8. Wilton 392, 9. West Liberty 409, 10. Columbus 430, 11. Louisa-Muscatine 442